Bell makes the most of it, but can Bears back make the team?

Third-year running back Kahlil Bell has been flying well under the radar during training camp, what with the speculation over a contract extension for Matt Forte or a possible boycott of preseason games by the Bears' featured ball carrier.

That coupled with the battle for the backup job between veterans Marion Barber and Chester Taylor has left Bell as the forgotten man.

But the UCLA product proved in the preseason opener against Buffalo that he shouldn't be overlooked.

He was the game's leading rusher with 73 yards on 13 carries and a 5.6-yard average. He also caught 2 passes for 46 yards.

He knows that doesn't guarantee him anything.

The first time he touched the football in an NFL game, Bell went 72 yards for a touchdown on Nov. 22, 2009, against the Philadelphia Eagles.

But last year, even though he was on the Bears' 53-man roster, Bell was inactive for all 16 games.

A good showing in a preseason game may or may not result in a regular role when the games count.

“I'm not worried about stuff like that,” Bell said. “I just continue to expect excellence out of myself. I try to get better as a player every day, and I let God take care of the rest.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith was not surprised by Bell's performance Saturday.

“That has been how he has played when he's gotten an opportunity,” Smith said. “He is a bruising-type runner. He's got good hands, good moves in an open field.

“There's a reason he was on our 53-man roster last year.”

Even after his 72-yard debut run, Bell got just 39 more carries in 2009 and none in 2010, but he says he doesn't get frustrated.

“Those are things I can't control,” he said. “I'm lucky and blessed enough to be a part of this organization. I let the coaches coach, and I just go out when they call my number and try to perform to the best of my ability.”

Much like it is for Bell, the preseason is the time to shine for backup quarterback Caleb Hanie, although his performance against the Bills wasn't as impressive.

He scored the game's only touchdown on a 4-yard run, but by now the Bears know Hanie has more than enough mobility to play the position.

They need to see him run the offense as impressively as he did while leading a pair of TD drives in last season's NFC title-game loss to Green Bay.

On those two possessions, Hanie completed 6 of 6 passes for 100 yards, including a 35-yard TD pass.

Against Buffalo, he completed 3 of 7 passes for 32 yards (56.8 passer rating), and he was sacked three times.

“It was kind of a middle-of-the-road performance,” Hanie said. “I did some good things and bad things, a typical first preseason game.

“But I look to bring a little more explosive stuff in the passing game. It was kind of a slow night in that area.”

ŸFollow Bob's Bears reports via Twitter @BobLeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.